Google and the Canadian government have reached a 'historic' agreement, with Google agreeing to distribute approximately 74 million dollars annually to Canadian media outlets for publishing their news. This move comes ahead of the enforcement of Ottawa's Online News Act on December 19, which could have led to a news blackout on tech platforms. While Google has settled, other companies like Meta have indicated they may reject the regulations. Canada's Heritage Minister, Pascale St-Onge, highlighted the disruption caused by digital platforms to news organizations over the past decade, leading to the closure of about 500 media outlets and the loss of thousands of journalist jobs. The agreement is seen as a step towards establishing a fairer commercial relationship between digital platforms and journalism.

The Constitutional Court of Peru has declined to confirm a resolution from the Inter-American Court of Human Rights that revoked a pardon granted to former dictator Alberto Fujimori, convicted of crimes against humanity. This decision renders it possible for Fujimori to be released before completing his 25-year sentence. The court has deemed it inappropriate to ratify the decision of the Inter-American Court and has deferred the final decision on the pardon to a judge. Fujimori's defense had filed a habeas corpus in 2017 seeking a pardon, which was initially granted for humanitarian reasons but was later revoked by the Peruvian Supreme Court in 2019. The Constitutional Court reinstated the habeas corpus in 2020, but the Inter-American Court's decision prevented its fulfillment. Now, the possibility of Fujimori's pardon and release is once again open, pending a judge's ruling.

A ceasefire in the Gaza Strip has been extended until Thursday, with Israel agreeing to release Palestinian prisoners and Hamas to return hostages taken on October 7. The deal, confirmed by Hamas, the United States, and Qatar, includes the release of 20 hostages in Israel and 60 Palestinian prisoners between Tuesday and Wednesday. The military offensive, which was halted on Saturday following the first ceasefire agreement, may resume on Thursday if the truce is not further extended. Qatar's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Majed al Ansari, announced the extension on social media, amidst international calls for an end to the fighting, which the US and its allies oppose. So far, 117 Palestinian prisoners and 58 hostages have been exchanged.

Dominican baseball player Jonathan Villar, who joined Algodoneros de Unión Laguna in 2023, is facing issues due to his conduct with Águilas Cibaeñas, leading to his separation from the team after manager Tony Peña deemed his actions as lackadaisical. Despite his talent, Villar's apathy has been a concern, and his future with Algodoneros is under review, especially after the departure of Didi Gregorius. The Liga Mexicana de Beisbol (LMB) welcomes Conspiradores de Querétaro and Dorados de Chihuahua for the 2024 season, with both teams building their rosters through a draft. Querétaro's new team, with executive Roberto Magdaleno, faces challenges with their stadium but is expected to have the necessary economic support.

Somalia is experiencing severe flooding that has resulted in at least 50 deaths and displaced hundreds of thousands, with 700,000 displaced and 1.7 million affected. The El Niño climate phenomenon is expected to bring more intense rains to the country, with further complications anticipated. The floods have destroyed bridges and inundated residential areas, particularly in Beledweyne, Hiran region. Humanitarian groups warn of increased difficulties as El Niño is predicted to persist for five more months. The Horn of Africa, which includes Somalia, is highly vulnerable to climate change and has recently suffered its worst drought in forty years. According to Deutsche Welle, 687,235 people have been forced to leave their homes, and the UN OCHA estimates that 1.7 million residents have been impacted by the disaster.

Israeli forces bombed the Gaza Strip hours before a ceasefire was to begin, following an agreement with Hamas for a four-day truce. The ceasefire will allow humanitarian aid into Gaza and include an exchange of hostages for political prisoners. Qatar authorities had anticipated the truce, which comes after a conflict that has resulted in 14,128 deaths in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, described as ultrarightist, stated that attacks would resume after the ceasefire. The agreement includes the release of 50 hostages taken by Hamas on October 7 and 150 women and children detained by Israel. Netanyahu confirmed the ceasefire with the support of his security cabinet, with the exact time for the ceasefire's start still unknown. Additionally, Israel killed five Palestinians in a drone attack in the Tulkarem refugee camp in the West Bank, causing deaths and injuries.

The Netherlands' government is on the brink of falling into the hands of the far-right after the Freedom Party (PVV) won 35 of 150 seats in the elections. PVV leader Geert Wilders is seeking alliances to take over the executive branch, targeting a pact with right-wing and Christian democratic parties. Wilders campaigned on an anti-immigration platform and the idea of 'reclaiming' the country. The far-right in the Netherlands will need to form a coalition to gain a parliamentary majority, with potential partners including the farmer's party BBB, the center-right VVD led by Dilan Yeşilgöz, and the Christian democratic New Social Contract led by Pieter Omtzigt. Together with these parties, the far-right could secure 43 seats and possibly add 7 more with the farmers. Wilders has expressed a desire to prioritize Dutch interests and has not ruled out a broader alliance, having campaigned on leaving the European Union and banning the Quran and mosques.

U.S. President Joe Biden and China's President Xi Jinping held a four-hour bilateral meeting in California, ahead of the APEC summit in San Francisco. They discussed easing tensions and agreed to restore military communications and strengthen anti-narcotics cooperation. This meeting marks a step towards minimal cooperation between the two nations amidst conflicts over trade, cybersecurity, maritime security, human rights, and other issues.

UNICEF has called for an end to the tragedy affecting children in the Gaza Strip, describing the situation as 'horror.' Catherine Russell, the agency's director, visited the enclave and witnessed the devastating conditions, including constant bombings, loss, and displacement. She reported serious violations against children, including killings, mutilations, and attacks on schools and hospitals. The health authorities in Gaza reported 11,320 deaths, including over 5,000 minors. Russell called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and highlighted the dire situation at Al Shifa Hospital, where babies clung to life in incubators without electricity.

Indigenous leaders in Guatemala have joined calls for the removal of Attorney General Consuelo Porras, who has been accused of corruption by the United States. They have requested the Constitutional Court to annul an internal law that prevents the current president from dismissing the Attorney General. Protests continue against Porras and prosecutors who are attempting to prohibit the election winner, Movimiento Semilla. President-elect Bernardo Arévalo has accused them of trying to stage a coup. Indigenous authorities were heard in a virtual hearing by the Constitutional Court, while indigenous groups maintain a sit-in outside the Public Ministry's headquarters in Guatemala City, vowing to stay until the change of command. The power transfer ceremony to Arévalo and Movimiento Semilla is scheduled for January 14, 2024.

Brazilian President Lula da Silva condemned Israel for committing 'several acts of terrorism' in the Gaza Strip and criticized the killing of children and women in the Palestinian enclave. He also acknowledged that Hamas committed a terrorist act on October 6, the same day Israeli forces launched an attack on Gaza. A Brazilian humanitarian flight rescued 22 citizens and 10 family members from Gaza after a month-long effort delayed by Israeli authorities. Lula da Silva lamented the death of over 5,000 minors and the disappearance of 1,500 others, presumed to be under the rubble.

Spain's far-right party VoX has filed a lawsuit against incumbent President Pedro Sánchez and Catalan independence leader Carles Puigdemont, urging the Supreme Court to suspend Sánchez's investiture. They accuse them of bribery, cover-up, and collaboration with terrorism due to an amnesty law related to an agreement between Sánchez's Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) and the Catalan independence party Junts. The PSOE secured Junts' support for Sánchez's presidency in exchange for a law pardoning Catalan leaders who declared independence in 2017. The right and far-right in Spain oppose this agreement. The parliament is set to vote this week, with Sánchez expected to win with support from Sumar, Junts, and the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV).

Israeli forces launched an attack in southern Lebanon, resulting in two deaths and affecting an international media convoy, escalating tensions in the Middle East amid Israeli invasions and bombings in the Gaza Strip. Lebanese authorities reported the fatalities in Ainata, while Israel stated the attack was a response to projectiles fired over occupied Palestinian territory. The Israeli military claimed to have targeted the origin of the fire and posts used by terrorists. Hezbollah, which supports Hamas, has been exchanging fire with Israel from southern Lebanon since October 6, marking the most significant violence since the 2006 war, with over 70 fighters and 10 civilians dead in Lebanon and 10 people, including seven soldiers, in Israel. Al Jazeera reported that one of Israel's attacks hit a group of media in the Lebanese border village of Yarou, injuring their cameraman Issam Mawasi and damaging their transmission vehicle.

In Uttarakhand, India, 40 workers have been trapped for over 35 hours inside a tunnel they were constructing in the Himalayas. Rescuers have made contact, providing food and water, and remain optimistic about rescuing them alive. Excavators and heavy machinery are being used to clear the debris. The tunnel is part of a national highway used for Hindu pilgrimages. The National Disaster Response Force of India confirmed all workers are alive, and rescue efforts have cleared about 20 meters of rubble, with an estimated 40 meters remaining.

The Arab League will meet in Saudi Arabia on Saturday to discuss Israel's attacks on Gaza. Saudi Arabia urgently invited leaders from the 22 member countries to address the 'Israeli aggression' against the Palestinian enclave. The meeting comes amid war crime allegations against Israel, with over 10,000 people reported killed in Gaza, including over 4,000 children, and hundreds of thousands displaced. The summit follows preparatory meetings and comes two days after Algeria filed a lawsuit against Israel at the International Criminal Court, supported by the Colombian government. The meeting replaces two extraordinary summits of the Islamic Cooperation Organization and the Arab League.

A drug trafficker has triggered a political crisis in Uruguay, leading to the resignation of four senior government officials within a week. The irregular issuance of a passport to criminal Sebastián Marset has reached the office of President Luis Lacalle. The country's prosecutor's office is considering summoning the president to testify. The crisis began with the resignation of Interior Minister Alberto Heber and his deputy Guillermo Maciel, amid corruption allegations related to Marset's passport obtained while he was jailed in the United Arab Emirates in 2021. Two other resignations followed, including a friend and advisor to Luis Lacalle, Roberto Lafluf, and Foreign Minister Francisco Bustillo, who was implicated by former deputy foreign minister Carolina Ache through controversial audio recordings. Ache claimed Bustillo asked her to lose her phone to delete a WhatsApp conversation warning of Marset's criminal record, contradicting the government's claim of ignorance about the drug trafficker's identity since 2021. The prosecutor is evaluating requesting President Lacalle's statement, as he allegedly lied about his advisor Lafluf destroying official documents relevant to the case. Sebastián Marset is accused in Uruguay of murdering anti-mafia prosecutor Marcelo Pecci, and the current government reportedly granted him an expedited passport.

The Colombian government has announced its support for Algeria's complaint against Israel at the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged war crimes in the Gaza Strip. Colombian President Gustavo Petro stated that they will join the collective action, and Foreign Minister Álvaro Leyva is set to meet with ICC prosecutor Karim Khan. The complaint, presented by lawyer Abdelmadjid Marari, documents transgressions in occupied Palestine and genocide crimes. Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has called on human rights defenders to bring Israel before the ICC for crimes against Palestinians in Gaza. Colombia's involvement follows President Petro's previous warning about the potential suspension of relations with Israel.